Ruffell is our new mayor
BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.
The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.
The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.
Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.
“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.
“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.
“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,
“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.
“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”
Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.
“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.
“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”
Anthony Radford | Bendigo Weekly | 01-Nov-2012
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Cr Ruffell in the mall this morning.
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Lisa Ruffell is Greater Bendigo's new mayor for the first time.
Cr Ruffell takes over from Alec Sandner who was not returned at the weekend's council poll.
Cr Ruffell defeated re-elected councillors Rod Fyffe and Barry Lyons for the top job.
She received at least five votes in the first round of secret-ballot voting, with only one round needed to decide the result.
She told the Weekly she was very honoured and keen to hit the ground running.
"I'm feeling numb and very excited," she said.
Cr Ruffell was first elected to the City of Greater Bendigo in 2008 and was returned as one of three councillors to represent the newly-formed Whipstick Ward at this year’s election.
She will be sworn in on Monday night.
Cr Ruffell was expected to do well in the vote, with support expected to come from pro-review councillors Peter Cox, ELise Chapman, James Williams and Helen Leach.
Cr Ruffell is a successful and active local business woman with a diverse range of qualifications and experiences.
Cr Ruffell was awarded the 2000 Australian Federation of Business and Professional Woman Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and was a finalist in the 2000 BPW Victorian Business Woman of the Year Awards.
She was a member of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Committee, forging closer links between Victoria Police and the City of Greater Bendigo community and raising much needed funds for the Bendigo and Heathcote hospitals.
Cr Ruffell has a long history of involvement and commitment to the future development of Greater Bendigo and its outlying areas. She is determined in her resolve to maintain and further develop the quality of life for the City of Greater Bendigo community.
Tributes have begun to Cr Ruffell.
Member for Bendigo East Maree Edwards was one of the first to congratulate her.
"How good to have a female mayor. Congratulations Lisa," she tweeted.
Bendigo identity Keith Sutherland was als quick off the mark.
"Glad that Cr Lisa Ruffell is to be Mayor for the COGB," he tweeted.
"She will do a
great job and will be very involved in the community. Well deserved, Lisa."
Golden Dragon Museum manager Anita Jack also gave Cr Ruffell her support.
"Congratulations Mayoress ," she posted on twitter.
"I told my daughters a Woman is now the #1 citizen of . woop woop
More to come.
BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.
The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.
The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.
Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.
“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.
“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.
“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,
“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.
“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”
Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.
“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.
“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”
